Bad spring doesn't sour Tigers on OF prospect Steven Moya

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3/23/15) Tigers outfielder Steven Moya was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday following a rough spring at the plate. The 23-year-old prospect hit just .125 (4 for 32) with one home run, 12 strikeouts and no walks.

Despite the poor performance, the Tigers still have high hopes for Moya, who hit .276 with 33 doubles, 35 home runs and 105 RBI in 133 games at Double-A last season.

"He scuffled a little bit and he knows he's been scuffling with his swing," manager Brad Ausmus said, per the Detroit Free Press. "But this was only roughly a month's worth of Steven Moya's resume.

"He's going to be a good player. He wasn't sent out just because he was struggling. We have other outfielders that are kind of locked in at this point but he's a good kid, he's as hard a worker as I've come across and he will get through this.

"I'm not concerned about it at all but it's tough for a guy to go through it, a hitting funk like this. It's hard on you mentally but he'll be fine."

Tigers send Steven Moya to Triple-A

by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(3/22/15) The Tigers sent Steven Moya to Triple-A Toledo after Sunday's game. Despite not making the MLB club, it still represents a promotion for the outfielder, who played last season in Double-A.

Moya hit .125 for the Tigers this spring, striking out 12 times in 32 at bats.

Tigers OF Steven Moya (back) cleared to play Wednesday

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3/4/15) Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said outfielder Steven Moya will be available off the bench for Wednesday's spring game against the Orioles after sitting out Tuesday due to back spasms.

Tigers OF Steven Moya held out Tuesday due to back spasms

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3/3/15) Tigers outfielder Steven Moya was unable to play in Tuesday's spring opener against the Orioles due to back spasms, per MLB.com. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Moya is considered the Tigers' top prospect by Baseball America. However, he is expected to open the season in the minors.

Tigers' Steven Moya unlikely to make opening day roster

Moya will get a chance to open the year with the club during spring training, but even that seems like a long shot at this point. "At this point, it would probably be tough," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

Assistant general manager Al Avila agreed, saying it would be more beneficial for the 23-year-old Moya to receive consistent at-bats. "With a guy like Moya, you don't want to bring him in and have him on the bench to play once in a while," Avila said. "You want him to be playing every single day."

Ausmus added that he believes the team's outfield is set, and Moya likely wouldn't receive significant playing time early unless an injury struck.

Moya hit .276/.306/.555 over 515 at-bats at Double-A last season. Moya is rated as the team's second-best prospect coming into the year, according to Baseball America.

2014 summary:Steven Moya solidified his position as one of the Tigers' top prospects among hitters, as the outfielder swatted 35 home runs, drove in 105 runs, stole 16 bases and batted .276 at Double-A Erie. He was a September callup for the Tigers, and he appeared in 11 games, going 3 for 8.

Playing time status: Barring a scalding-hot spring, Moya's chances of breaking camp with the club are slim, as he is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo. He should still see playing time at the major league level at some point during 2015.

2015 outlook: Moya clearly possesses power, but his plate discipline could hold him back. There is little reason to draft Moya in even the deepest of single-season leagues, but he needs to be owned in dynasty formats.
(Updated 11/25/14)